U.S. Department of Labor Announces Nearly $860,000 Grant to Assist Floridians Affected by Manufacturing Industry Layoffs

Source: U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)

The U.S. Department of Labor announced an $859,829 grant to assist approximately 464 Florida workers affected by manufacturing layoffs at 12 companies within Citrus, Levy and Marion counties.

"Across a variety of sectors, manufacturing in this three-county area has been hit hard in recent months," said Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Brent R. Orrell. "This grant will aid in retraining affected workers, and help them find new and challenging work in other fields."

Today's grant, awarded to the Citrus Levy Marion Regional Workforce Development Board Inc., will provide employment-related assistance to workers who have been impacted by manufacturing layoffs. This assistance will include retraining in new occupational fields, with a focus on health care, nuclear energy and welding. Additional assistance will include job search and relocation.

Between December 2007 and October 2008, workers were laid off from the following companies: American Panel, Closetmaid, E-One, Fluid Routing Systems, Golden Flake, Hamilton Products, Homette Corp., Masco Builder Cabinet Group, Monterey Boats, Proline Boats, Seminole Food and Universal Forest Products.

National Emergency Grants are part of the secretary of labor's discretionary fund and are awarded based on a state's ability to meet specific guidelines. For more information, visit www.doleta.gov/NEG.